Marquez-Barrios Composition Highlights Quincy Symphony Orchestra Season Finale

“Maracaibo,” an overture composed by Venezuelan Victor Marquez-Barrios, associate professor of music, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. April 20 as part of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra season finale concert in Quincy, Illionois.

Maracaibo is the second largest city in Venezuela. The city is located on the shores of the largest lake in South America, Lake Maracaibo, which has inspired countless poets and musicians for centuries and continues to do so today even though it has deteriorated as a result of excessive oil exploitation and heavy pollution.

Marquez-Barrios was born and raised in this unique place and tried to depict some of its stark contrasts through the music. The composer has an extended catalog of works for a variety of ensembles, mixed choir, electronics, concert band and symphony orchestra. Marquez-Barrios has taught music theory and composition at Truman since 2015. He is also the founding director of “Uncommon Practice,” the University’s contemporary music ensemble.

Truman faculty and students involved in the performance include Brian Kubin, cello; Pat Mickey, horn; Irene Pehanich, clarinet; and Aidan Ervin, percussion. Other Kirksville musicians include Karen Kubin and Susan Drew, violin; Adriana Ovalle-Gonzalez, viola; Melody and Daphne Zakarian, bass; Drew Schaper, horn; and Jay Bulen, trombone.